This week, we are welcoming long-time friend Melissa Killeleagh as a regular contributor to our weekly Facebook LIVE series, “Tuesdays with StoryTapestries!” Tune in Tuesday, 12/4 at 7:00pm ET on Facebook for Melissa’s first video. We recently sat down with Melissa to get her story:

Melissa Killeleagh is a “mompreneur” with a vision for adding value to those around her. Life truly began for her just before turning 40, with the birth of her son. With undergraduate and graduate degrees from Ithaca College and Binghamton University, she worked in public finance for 10 years before trading in full-time work for her part-time business in social marketing. While having two incomes was great, Melissa felt that having more time to truly live her life was even better. She gave up on society’s suggested “mileposts” for success in life and began to design a life guided by her own values, relationships, and the notion that “we make a living by what we get, and we make a life by what we give.” Just when she started making plans, God laughed, and along came Jack. Melissa says that he IS her greatest gift. Her passion and purpose are building strong relationships, creating dynamic communities, inspiring leadership from the heart, and being a catalyst for the critical shift in paradigm our world needs right now, which Jack inspires her to do daily. When not chasing her toddler or her dreams, you’ll find Melissa snuggling with her fur baby; reading; writing; dancing in the living room; conspiring with energy healers and thought leaders; listening to, or recording, podcasts; and, enjoying life outdoors.

What does she have to do with Story Tapestries?

This story weaves together in several ways. First, mutual friends Karen & Stephen Beals, who also have hosted ‘Tuesdays with Story Tapestries,’ inspired Melissa to reach out to Arianna to learn more about her work and interview her for her podcast series ‘The Melissa Killeleagh Show,’ which is hosted by Fingerlakes1 TV and can be found on YouTube. Then, in September, Melissa was invited by Artistic Director Angela Daddabbo to take a 12-week class at Auburn Public Theater that uses Julia Cameron’s ‘Artist’s Way’ to help a creative cluster of individuals come together and ‘recover’ their creative selves. This experience initiated a series of conversations between Melissa and Arianna around the evolution of our stories, how art & creativity come into play, and inspired some ideas for ‘Tuesdays with Story Tapestries’ so stay tuned. This work will only continue to unfold into a myriad of collaborations!

In the meantime, Melissa is also passionate about leveraging her network marketing business to help raise funds for organizations she loves. Please feel free to shop over 450 pure, safe, and beneficial vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free health & wellness products, from baby care to anti-aging, nutrition to cosmetics, online at www.melissakilleleagh.arbonne.comfor the month of December and Melissa will donate her full commissions to Story Tapestries! When you shop online, enter ‘Arianna Ross’ as the host at checkout and you’ll see ‘Purchase with a Purpose for Story Tapestries’ pop up!

A special THANK YOU to Melissa for joining our LIVE video series, and for supporting us through her generous fundraising initiative!

After our recent series of Professional Development Workshops in West Virginia the week of October 16th-20th, we asked artist Bomani Armah to share his experience:

“The ultimate goal for me as an artist and educator is to make sure my art, ideas and techniques live past me. It has matured from the time of a young artist of making sure everyone knows my name, to wanting to let other artists and educators skip the bumps in the road we inevitably come across trying to be effective communicators in our mediums and in our classrooms. The best, and most fun way for me to do that now is by doing professional development classes. Due to my work with Story Tapestries, I’ve
been able to spread these techniques and hard earned shortcuts with over 300 educators for a week while working with teachers and education majors in the Morgantown, West Virginia area. I hope this is the beginning of a fruitful relationship.

Being in front of a group of education majors is thrilling. I remember the idealism and the enthusiasm. I remember recovering for all night study sessions and parties and trying to act educated and civil the next day. At least that was me. These students in Ms. Martucci’s and Ms. Satterfield’s class didn’t seem to have problems at all as we did two three hour crash courses in the art of teaching creative writing through Hip-Hop. I most enjoy the speed-through version of hip-hop history I do with these students who are younger than my favorite albums. We often get mad at the next generation for not knowing or understanding the history of the cultures they are a part of, without ever taking the time to tell them this history. Of all the things I imparted to the WV students here, I hope I passed on my love of using popular music and culture as a teaching tool. There will be a time when teaching using hip-hop won’t have the same cultural cache as it does now, but the technique of teaching through the lens of popular culture will always be relevant. Hopefully some Mountaineers will be a part of the next wave of art integration in the classroom.

On top of sharing great energy with about 100 education majors in Morgantown, I got to make rhymes and b-boy/b- girl stances with teachers in Preston County and Monongalia County. I also got to debut my PreK-through-1st-grade workshop in Harrison County. The teachers were all incredibly receptive and enthusiastic, and I got several offers to come back and do residencies and assemblies. I’m already looking forward to my next trip to West Virginia.”

We’d like to thank The Art Museum at West Virginia University for joining the project this year by providing coaching and field trips to participating classrooms; Monongalia, Preston, and Harrison Counties for welcoming our Bomani in to their schools to work with their teachers; and the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at WVU and Open Circle Theatre for partnering to make this program a reality. This program is provided under a contract with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Old cell phones, abandoned digital cameras, outdated laptops – you name it, they take it and turn your “junk” into a gift that keeps on giving!
Just visit our page on CauseNetwork, and with the click of a button you can select the items you want to get rid of and print off a shipping form. Follow the simple instructions to schedule a UPS pick-up or to drop off your package at the nearest center, and before you know it you’ll receive a tax-deductible receipt to see how much your old gear has contributed to supporting educational arts-based programs for our communities most in need.In two easy steps you can liberate your junk drawer and contribute to new success stories!

November To-Do list:

November 14 – Join via Facebook LIVE for Tuesdays with Story Tapestries featuring Arts Integration Expert, Pat Klos; 7pm ESTNovember 21 – Join via Facebook LIVE for Tuesdays with Story Tapestries featuring a special Thanksgiving message; 7pm ESTNovember 23 – HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Enjoy yummy food, precious moments with family and friends, and take time to reflect on the things you’re grateful for.November 25 & 26 – We’ll be ready to wrap your gifts at Clarksburg Premium Outlets! Stop by or better yet, volunteer to support this special fundraiser during the biggest shopping weekend of the year!November 27 – Shop deals on Cyber Monday using CauseNetwork and a percentage of each purchase will go to Story Tapestries – with no extra effort or dollars on your part! Prefer shopping on Amazon? Use AmazonSmile!November 28 – #GivingTuesday as become an international movement to support non-profits working hard to support people in need. Would you choose Story Tapestries this #GivingTuesday?

With your tax-deductible contribution, you’re helping children learn how to read, write, and communicate better, how to overcome adversities and to connect with the joy of learning. Not only are you helping students, you’re also supporting the educators that work with them each day of the school year and the parents and caretakers that support youth at home and throughout the community.

Can’t afford to give dollars?
Check out all these ways you can support Story Tapestries!

VOLUNTEER
We need willing volunteers to support in-person events as well as online activities that can be completed remotely. Interested? Contact us now and we’ll get you started!

SHOP ONLINE
You can shop over 1,000 stores online, get the same prices and deals, and the retailer will donate up to 10% of every purchase.

My second summer semester at Latin American Youth Center brought 16 young adult teens divided into two groups: The Road Runners and The Money Makers. The students were motivated to listen and to share their work in an intimate sunny conference room. My goal is to have students listen to each other, creating a supportive ensemble.

In the lessons I focused on speaking with imagery. In pairs, students asked WHO ARE YOU? I encouraged students to transform themselves into things in nature and to consider that when we “lie” in poetry- we use these “truths” as metaphors, similes and hyperboles. I was blessed to have the in-class support of Abi and Tina, who are naturally gifted writers themselves. Students got to work with their mentors in a collaborative way.

On our second workshop I had Slam Poet Dwayne B. from Metro Teen AIDS perform work to prepare students for the culminating event. Little “T” said it was a highlight. Seeing a resident from Anacostia speak candidly and with humor, highlighting the neighborhood.

Because the students were so in tune with each other I wanted to culminate with an exercise I rarely get to do because it requires, deep self examination of their life and possessions. The prompt is “If I Should Die Tonight,” a powerful way to celebrate life not in the depressed sense.

We listed what our valuable personal attributes, talents & tangible objects of value were along with instructions to the people we cherish, who we leave behind. Courtney has always been supportive of the workshop but she pulled herself into a candid powerful poem.

At the culminating event all the students read their work and Courtney started to write a new poem off the cuff. A lot of these students never saw themselves as poets, but in the course of the workshop, they took the assignment and composed raps and stories. They went inward and gradually got up to stand on stage for the first time.

The poems are small life celebrations, accelerated at the Busboys & Poets poetry reading. Students were asked to remember significant people in their life. Abi got full praise as a teacher. Faith saying, This was the best educational experience of her life. Courtney, said I was mad cool and funny. Here is a small sampling of their work.

This program was made possible by funding from Alternate ROOTS, in partnership with LAYC.

Having moved to this neighborhood not too long ago, I’ve made efforts to get to know my new place better by exploring and getting involved in activities. One great discovery I’ve made has been the numerous arts and cultural events available so nearby.

There are all kinds of performances, exhibitions, and events to attend. Just a couple months ago, when the weather started warming up, my family and I headed for outdoor activities. Performances outside were so enjoyable and entertaining. Later when the heat really turned up – well, hello summer – our plans changed to include visits to museums and galleries with good air-conditioning!

And we’re not the only family who are out enjoying great arts and culture activities. Many other families are either visiting local places or traveling further for their summer fun.

A recent report by Americans for the Arts shows the connection between nonprofit arts and cultural activities and a prosperous economy. This study, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 is the most comprehensive economic impact study of the arts and culture industry. Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.3 billion in economic activity (2015).

Yes, the arts industry is a serious business. This video shares an overview of AEP5’s findings.

However, more importantly, is the local impact of this industry. The local arts industry cares for its neighbors.

A night out at a concert not just shows support for the arts, but also generates income for nearby establishments. And in turn, creates more business and jobs, and contributes to the overall economic health of the area! The AEP5 study has specific reports for local and regional areas. With data coming from diverse communities with varying populations, urban and rural areas, all 50 states plus the District of Columbia are represented. That summary can be read here.

So be entertained, inspired and moved by all the wonderful arts and cultural events that are out there this season. And know that your support of the arts is also support for the economic prosperity of your neighborhood. Hope you had a great summer!

Good weather greeted our setting up of the Story Tapestries booth. It had rained a few days before, and while the ground was still soggy and with friendly earthworms popping up to say hello, the sun warmed up the day as we set up our booth.

On Saturday, May 20, 2017, the Gaithersburg Book Festival offered all kinds of activities and exhibits to bring literature to children, adults, families and friends. There were book readings and signings, writing workshops, and so much more. At the Children’s Village, where we had set up the Story Tapestries booth, visitors could hear story times in different languages, meet with authors of children’s and young adult fiction, view many performances and participate in a multitude of other activities.

Executive Director Arianna Ross brought boxes and boxes of pre-loved books for the donation table. Visitors to the booth were encouraged to take home a few books for donations of “a quarter up to a $1 million – I’m sorry we can’t make change!”

There were also two creativity tables for our younger visitors to show their artistic side. Our young visitors didn’t hold back on their imaginations as they put color, glitter and sequins on their pictures.

The Story Tapestries booth had many visitors interested in learning more about the arts education work we do. And also old friends who showed support by dropping by.

Ariana happily shared how she used elements of music, story, and dance to entertain and educate. Story Tapestries is passionate about the work we do in organizing artist-in-residence programs to teach creative writing and storytelling, often combining subjects like STEM with arts strategies, and equipping educators with innovative ideas to engage their students.

We had a great time at the Gaithersburg Book Festival, raised $225 with the books, and ran out of glitter glue! If you didn’t get the chance to visit us at the Festival, you can still learn more about Story Tapestries on our website and follow the work we do on our blog or Facebook page.

We asked our fabulous Communications Volunteer, Yvonne Oh, to tell us a little bit about what inspires her to support Story Tapestries and arts in education. Yvonne is a regular and invaluable contributor to our blog and social media. Here is her take on why Arts Partnerships Help Students Succeed.

My mother is the most dedicated teacher I know. She became a teacher after we kids were almost into our teens. No longer having to watch over us gave her time and opportunity to dive into a passion which we didn’t realize she had. And she was a very good teacher. In fact, she sometimes said it was a shame that she didn’t get to apply her knowledge of early child development with us – how brilliant we would’ve been!

She’s retired now, and I thank her for the appreciation I have for teachers like her – teachers who made sure lessons were creative and imaginative so that students were inspired to learn. Mind you, she’s happy to hear that I have been volunteering with Story Tapestries and doing my bit to help create positive learning environments. Retirement never stops a good teacher.

Story Tapestries has been a creative, dynamic partner to schools, community organizations and cultural institutions. Our mission is to help introduce creativity and imagination in everyday lessons. Story Tapestries has provided teacher training programs for professional development and arts integrations, teaching artist residencies and community workshops and performances.

I recently stumbled across an interesting article, The Art of Partnerships: Community Resources for Arts Education, that looks at ways to initiate and develop successful partnerships for arts integration in public academic curricula. A strong arts education has proven to benefit reading and language skills. Students also learn critical thinking and social interaction skills. Overall, there is a stronger motivation for learning.

Lend your support to Story Tapestries and encourage partnerships and cooperative programs between schools and arts organizations.